Cook Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Position Title: Cook Associate (Cook 1)
Reports To: Production Supervisor
Direct Reports: None
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Flexibility is required to support operational needs, training, investigations, audits, and employee engagement activities across shifts.)
Salary: $20.20 - $21.20/hr
Benefits: Comprehensive Health & Dental Benefits including LTD, Life Insurance, AD&D, Health Care Spending Account (HCSA), and Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
Vacation: 2 weeks' vacation per year plus 5 Wellness Days.

The Role:

The Cook Associate I (Cook 1) works collaboratively with the Operations team in a fast-paced, high-volume commissary kitchen and food manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for preparing, cooking, baking and portioning nutritious meals and snacks for childcare centres across Ontario.

The responsibility of a Cook Associates are cooking, food preparation, quality checks, and sanitation while ensuring all products meet Wholesome Kids Catering's quality, food safety, allergen, HACCP, and production standards.

The successful candidate demonstrates teamwork, accountability, attention to detail, flexibility, and a commitment to producing safe, high-quality meals while meeting nightly production schedules.

Training will be provided on all equipment, production processes, recipes, food safety procedures, allergen controls, and job responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Cook Associate 1 (Cook 1), you will:

Cooking & Food Preparation:

Read, understand, and prepare standardized recipes for large-scale meal production.
Prepare, cook, bake, cool, portion, and package meals and snacks according to production schedules.
Prepare ingredients including washing, peeling, cutting, measuring, weighing, mixing, marinating, and assembling food items.
Stir, mix, and cook large quantities of food using industrial kitchen equipment.
Monitor cooking temperatures and ensure all food is cooked according to food safety standards.
Follow recipes, production sheets, label sheets, batch cards, and supervisor instructions accurately.

Food Safety & Quality:

Follow all HACCP, GMP, CFIA, Public Health, and Wholesome Kids Catering food safety procedures.
Follow allergen management procedures to prevent cross-contamination.
Prepare allergy meals using designated equipment, utensils, ingredients, and procedures.
Complete required temperature logs and production records accurately. Monitor food quality throughout preparation, cooking, packaging, and storage.
Report any food quality, safety, equipment, or production concerns immediately.
Maintain FIFO (First-In, First-Out) inventory practices.

Physical & Environmental Requirements:

Lifting and carrying up to 60 lbs.
Standing and walking for extended periods.
Frequent bending, reaching, twisting, pushing, and pulling.
Performing repetitive tasks.
Working in refrigerated environments (approximately 4-10C).
Working around industrial kitchen equipment and machinery.
Safely using knives and food preparation tools.
Moving rolling racks, ingredient carts, and production equipment.
Maintaining concentration and accuracy.
Working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven production environment.

Qualifications:

Diploma or Degree in Culinary or equivalent, preferred.
Previous experience in food manufacturing, catering, institutional food service, commercial kitchens, or high-volume production is considered an asset.
Basic knowledge of food safety and sanitation.
Ability to read recipes, production sheets, and labels.
Basic math skills for weighing, counting, and measuring ingredients.
Ability to work independently and within a team.
Strong attention to detail.
Reliable attendance and punctuality.

Success Profile:

A successful Cook Associate I (Cook 1) consistently produces safe, nutritious, and high-quality meals. They demonstrate adaptability by moving seamlessly between cooking, baking and sanitation tasks. They take ownership of their work, contribute positively to the team, and help ensure every meal meets Wholesome Kids Catering's quality and food safety standards before reaching the children we serve.